Third edition of the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations event set to be more spectacular
ATP- Arab tourism portal- The Seychelles-India Day Celebrations committee, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Indian High Commission have announced that the third Seychelles-India Day Celebrations will be hosted from October 2-5.
The Seychelles-India Day Celebrations event celebrates the bond that exists between Seychelles and India. It is also a chance to showcase modern India and its rich culture.
Many activities have been planned for the three-day event and new elements have been added to the programme this year. Like the previous years, top Indian artists will be flying to Seychelles to join in the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations.
Details of the programme were revealed in a press conference last Friday, attended by the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange, Indian high commissioner Sanjay Panda, principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose, Ramu Pillay, the chairperson of the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations Committee and members of his committee.
This third Seychelles-India Day Celebrations event will be officially launched on October 2 at the International Conference Centre in Victoria at 7pm. Activities on the programme will include sand sculpture exhibitions at the ex-children’s playground in Victoria and on Beau Vallon beach.
The sand sculptor will also be on Praslin’s Anse Lazio beach on October 9, which is also the day that the Praslin Culinary and Arts Fiesta kicks off.
A.R Rahman, a famous Indian composer, singer and song-writer will grace this year’s Seychelles-India Day Celebrations event. He is well-known for his song Jai Ho which was among the top hits in Seychelles when it was launched.
Other Indian artists hailing from Bollywood will this year be performing in Seychelles in a musical gala night at the Stad Popiler on October 3.
Speaking at the press conference, Minister St.Ange said the Indian community has been working very hard to make this event yet another feat.
Minister St.Ange said India forms part of the five branches which make the Seychellois nation what it is today.
It is important that we give the Indian community of Seychelles its recognition and join in to celebrate the Indian culture in in our capital, Victoria, he said.
“We share the same ocean, we have ties dating back decades ago. Seychelles and India share a very good bond and this event is not only for the Indians living in Seychelles but for the whole Seychellois nation,” he said.
Minister St.Ange said the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is proud to be part of the team showcasing the rich Indian culture in Seychelles.
“We want the Seychellois culture to be at the highest level and for us to appreciate ours, we also need to appreciate others’ cultures. I salute the Indian community as they have gone out of their way to ensure that the success of this event,” he added.
The Minister for Culture of India will also be flying to Seychelles to mark this year’s event. High commissioner Panda said 2015 is a special year as Seychelles welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year and President James Michel visited India recently.
He added that many exchanges have taken place between the two countries and through these two visits, we can clearly see that Seychelles and India are working together to consolidate the existing bond.
Mr Panda said the event will give the whole of Seychelles the chance to see the Indian culture and this will be a wonderful experience.
Other than the cultural activities, the committee will this year be signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health.
Speaking about this project, Ramu Pillay, the Chairperson of the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations committee said through this accord, they will be able to adopt the Anse Boileau health centre and bring in two specialists to work there.
Mr Pillay is calling on members of the public to come and enjoy and experience India on Seychelles soil.
He added that the presence of A.R Rahman in Seychelles will give our islands more visibility as he is a well-known personality around the globe.
Three Indian Navy warships are also expected to be in Seychelles this week and the officers on board the ships will also be taking part in charitable, sports and cultural activities.
This year’s Seychelles-India Day Celebrations event will also coincide with the Festival of India better known as IndiaFest.
At the end of the press conference, Minister St.Ange and Miss Rose were each presented with a souvenir copy of the Seychelles-India Day Celebrations Invitation Card as a token of appreciation.
